Removable spout or dispensing device



Oct. 16, 1962 F. MUHLHOFF 3,058,633

REMovABLE sPouT 0R DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Sept. l2, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 www@ i Oct. 16, 1962 F. MUHLHOFF REMovABLE sPouT 0R DISPENSING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 12, 1958 WE/WOR Faun/Wc# diam/f Oct. 16, 1962 F. MUHLHOFF 3,058,633

REMOVABLE SPOUT OR DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Sept. 12, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 F /6 "en /fi A ZZ f 171 y A A /NvE/vroR @www @dk/Maf;

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United States Patent O REMOVABLE SPUT 6R DISPENSING DEVIQE Friedrich Mhlhoif, Koln-Eickendorf, Germany, assigner to Mauser Kommandit-Gesellschaft, Koln-Ehrenfeld,

Germany Filed Sept. 12, 1958, Ser. No. 760,780 Claims priority, application Germany Sept. 14, 1957 2 Claims. (Cl. 222-568) This invention relates to improvements in spout or dispensing structures for containers or like receptacles having a neck for discharging :therefrom liquid or semiliquid and similar substances.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide means affording the application of a very efcient and self-sealing dispensing device to a great number of 'diiferent sizes of containers or receptacles equipped with a neck or like extension having an opening for dispensing the contents of the receptacle.

It is another object of the invention to provide means facilitating the attachment of the novel dispensing device to fthe neck of a receptacle notwithstanding the fact that same is to remain sealed during shipping and handling and is thereafter to be transformed to a receptacle oiering the possibility of being easily emptied and substantially without spilling its contents.

Yet a further object of the invention resides in the provision of means considerably improving the use of receptacles with a neck of various dimensions and shapes for which a single and readily adaptable dispensing device may be employed, which consists of a reduced number of parts, may be manufactured from any suitable and easily available plastic material at a minimum of cost, is aesthetic in form and appearance and also highly hygienic during use.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide means offering the possibility of connecting the novel dispensing device with any threaded as well as smooth neck portion of a receptacle without necessitating the employment of tools, seals, bonds or like auxiliary means which would only contribute to an unfavorable marketability of the dispensing device.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide means aiming at a spout structure which can be universally applied to receptacles having a neck, the structure lending itself to various purposes whether the receptacle is to be used for dispensing its contents or for sealing the latter, in which case the spout structure may cooperate with a sealing plate and/ or adaptor to tit different neck openings.

It is still another object of the invention to provide means redounding to a highly economical and very efiicacious receptacle dispenser or spout, which may be ilexed or bent, if required, and which, when engaged with the neck of said receptacle provides a iluidtight seal thereon -due to the inherent properties of the material of which said spout may be manufactured.

Still another object of the invention resides in thc provision of means conducive to a spout structure of great durability and of easy and ready mounting on necks of receptacles now on the market.

These and other objects of the invention will become further apparent from the folowing detailed description, reference rbeing made to the accompanying drawings showing preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings which illustrate some preferred modes presently contemplated of carrying out the invention:

FIG. l is a fragmentary sectional View of `the top of a receptacle or container provided with Ia dispensing device pursuant to the present invention; and

FIGS. 2 through 5 are sectional views similar to that ICC of FIG. 1 and illustrate different embodiments, respectively, of the invention.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a dispensing device or spout for a container or like receptacle. The spout consists essentially of a sleeve or tubular member which can either be inserted into the neck opening of the container or it can be threaded onto the exterior of said neck opening. Moreover, the same spout may be used for discharge openings of different neck diameters. The spout is fabricated from any suitable material so that there always results a selfsealing attachment at the container opening. For example, and not by way of limitation, the spout may be formed of polyethylene, or other suitable plastic, or of natural or synthetic rubber `and may be either rigid or ilexible.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings in detail, there is shown a container 20 which is formed of any suitable material, such as metal, rubber, glass or a suit- -able plastic or plastic composition. The container is provided with an upwardly projecting neck 1 which defines an opening or outlet 21 for the container. The neck is externally threaded `as at 22 and is provided -with a smooth inner surface 23.

The spout or discharge device 2 is a tubular member provided with an external ilange or shoulder 4 adjacent its lower end 24 which is defined by the lower sleeve portion 3 extending downwardly from said ilange. Said portion 3 is preferably tapered, as alt 25, to facilitate its insertion into opening 21. When the sleeve portion 3 is inserted in the opening it is in substantially force-fitted engagement -with the inner surface 23 of neck 1 with flange 4 in abutment with neck rim 1a as indicated in FIG. 3 so as to form a substantially tight seal between the sleeve portion and the neck 1. As shown, the spout is bent, as at 26, so that -it extends laterally of the vertical axis of the container and terminates in a free end 27 which can be closed by a complementary cap or closure member 5.

Consequently, if the container is filled with a readily vaporizable liquid, cap 5 can prevent the evaporation of the container contents after discharge of a portion thereof through the spout.

Referring now to FIG. 2 in detail, there is shown a part of a container 28 having a neck 6a similar in all details to the previously described neck 1, except that the opening 21a is of smaller diameter than the opening 21. However, the same spout 2 can be utilized with the container 28. For this purpose, provision is made for an adaptor S, which is formed of any suitable material. The adapter has an upper tubular or sleeve portion 8a of larger diam,- eter and a lower tubular or sleeve portion 8b of smaller diameter, with an inwardly directed flange or shoulder 8c interconnecting said sleeve portions. The lower sleeve portion is tapered, as at 8d, to facilitate its insertion into the opening 21a, and the upper sleeve portion terminates in an upper marginal edge or rim 8e.

As shown, the lower sleeve portion 8b is inserted into the neck 6a in force-tit or fluid-tight relation with the inner surface 23 of neck 6a. with the shoulder 8c in abutment with the upper marginal edge or rim 1a of theneck 23.

Consequently, it will be apparent that the spout 2 can be used as a discharge device for containers which ditler in the diameter of their outlet openings.

Referring now to FIG. 3 in detail, there is shown the container 20 which is provided with a discharge device or spout 11 having an integral closure 10 thereon for the container opening 2l. More specifically, it will be noted that the spout 11 is provided with an upper tubular or sleeve portion ylia and with a lower tubular or sleeve portion 11b, of enlarged diameter, said portions being joined by the shoulder or fiange 11e to form. said closure 10. The lower portion 11b is internally threaded as at 11d for threaded engagement with the external threads 22 of the neck. With the sleeve portion 11b in full threaded engagement on the neck, the upper rim 1a of the neck abuts the ange 11C so that it will be apparent that the flange and lower sleeve portion form a closure for the container which is integral with the spout 11, the latter having a removable cap 5 for its free end opening 27. With containers 20 shipped in upright position, the self-sealing effect of the closure is sufficient.

However, if the container is not in an upright position, a further seal may be required for the opening 21. In lieu of the obliquely directed spout or discharge device 11, provision may be made for an upright spout 12 which is similar in all other respects thereto and has the same base closure device 10. If desired, the closure 10 may be provided with an additional and conventional tightening device or clamp 13.

Referring now to FIG. 4 in detail, there is shown a container provided with a discharge device or spout 11 which in all respects is similar to that shown in FIG. 3. However, pursuant to the present embodiment provision is made to seal the contents of the container so that the latter need not remain in upright position as in FIG. 3. In this connection, provision is made for a sealing plate or disc 14 which is provided with an upwardly directed circumferential wall 28 which terminates in an outwardly directed flange or rim 29. It will be noted that the wall 2S is inserted into the container opening 21 so that it is in force-lit or liquid-tight sealing relation with the inner surface 23 of neck 1. The fiange 29 is seated on and abuts the neck rim 1a to limit the insertion of the disc 14 into the neck.

inwardly of the Wall 2S the disc is provided with an additional circular opstanding wall 30 against which the flange 11e of the base closure 1G abuts as shown. It will be apparent that in order to discharge the contents of the container, the spout 11 must first be unthreaded from the neck 1 so that the sealing disc 14 can be removed. Thereafter the spout is threaded on the neck 1 and functions in the manner illustrated and described in connection with FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 5 in detail, there is shown a container 20 provided with a discharge spout 19 which has a lower sleeve portion or extension 17 of enlarged diameter provided with a shoulder 31 which extends from the portion 17 to the main bod',l of the tubular device 19. The shoulder terminates in an outwardly directed `fiange 18. The lower edge of the extension 17 is tapered to facilitate its insertion into neck 1 as in the previous embodiment such as indicated at in FIG. 1.

In using the spout 19, the extension 17 is first inserted into the neck 1 to form a fluid-tight or forced-fit with the inner surface 23, the flange 1S abutting the rim 1a to form a seal at the latter. A threaded cap 16, having a central opening 15, is passed over the spout 19 and threaded onto the threads 22, there being a little clearance of the spout in the opening 15.

The cap is screwed down securely, to force the flange 18 against the rim 1a. in sealing relation therewith, and the extension 17 into the neck 1 in sealing relation with the inner surface thereof. In addition, the screw cap 16 may be used to secure a closure disc 14 in position, with the spout 19 removed from the container. The spout can be used to fill the container, with the disc 14 removed therefrom, and the spout held in fluid-tight relation with the container by the cap 16.

Consequently, it will be apparent that pursuant to the present invention there is provided a discharge device or spout which is preferably formed from a material having self-sealing characteristics and is greatly simplified in comparison to prior art discharge devices such as cocks and discharge devices provided with pistons and controls therefor. In shipping containers provided with either a threaded closure or an insert-type closure, the discharge devices of the present invention can be either attached to the container or can depend therefrom.

Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and it is intended that such obvious changes and modifications be embraced by the annexed claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. A removable spout for a container having an outstanding externally threaded neck with a substantially at rim, comprising a tubular member formed of a resilient material adapted to be compressed into sealing engagement with said container neck and having a lower sleeve portion forced into the container neck to form a first sealing surface with the container which extends inwardly from said container rim, said tubular member including fan intermediate ange portion connected to said lower sleeve portion which extends over the whole upper portion of said rim and forms a second sealing surface contiguous with and at right angles to said first sealing surface, said first sealing surface extending downwardly a substantial distance'into the container from the juncture with said second sealing surface, said tubular member also comprising an angled discharge spout connected to the opposite end `of said intermediate fiange portion, and `a cap extending over said intermediate ange portion above said first and `second sealing surfaces and threaded to `the container neck, said intermediate ange portion being substantially horizontal and the outer periphery thereof is flush with the outer periphery of the rim of said container.

2. A removable spout according to claim 1, wherein said angled discharge spout includes a substantially vertical portion adjacent said intermediate flange portion and la portion extending obliquely from said vertical portion at the outer end thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,447,117 Balison et al Feb. 27, 1923 2,601,040 Livingstone July 17, 1952 2,690,861 Tupper c- Oct. 5, 1954 2,763,402 Livingstone Sept. 18, 1956 

